ALBUM REVIEW: KRINGER AND THE BATTLE KATZ - SPACE T-REX
The world of heavy and extreme music is filled with so many sub-genres it is practically impossible to keep count, so what do you do when your band draws influence from such a wide variety of musical styles? You make up your own new sub-genre to stop people from pigeonholing you into anything else. At least that is the mindset of Manchester based 'Kringer and the Battle Katz' who have dubbed themselves as "idiotcore", a ludicrous combination of hardcore, thrash and ska with a whole lot more on the side.
From start to finish, the four-piece debut 'Space T-Rex' is a rip-roaring cacophony of bonkers hardcore extremity. Mixing 'Converge' style vocals with thrash riffs and stoner breakdowns 'Kringer and the Battle Katz' have mastered something truly special; add to that the insanely catchy trombone hooks and comical lyrics and 'Space T-Rex' becomes something even bigger, it becomes unique.
It is safe to say that this record isn't for everybody, but for anyone interested in experimental heavy music with a sense of humour then the quality of 'Space T-Rex' is undeniable. Songs such as 'St Annes' and the title track are instant party hits and the groove on '(Welcome To) Suplex City' is extraordinarily catchy. 'Hipster Moustache' is pure punk hilarity and 'Swinging at Ghosts' is a phenomenal crossover thrash song.
Comedy and craziness are all well and good, but it is the technicality and innovation of 'Kringer and the Battle Katz' that truly steals the show. Non-stop riffs and pounding grooves dominate throughout and just when you think things are becoming predictable, the album twists and turns into more unexpected directions. This is exemplified in final track 'Shinigami' which shatters all pretences of formula in a six and a half minute epic that proves that 'Kringer and the Battle Katz' have plenty more to offer.
'Space T-Rex' may not be your favourite album you hear this year, but is far and away the craziest and most original. We don't know what drugs they were on when they wrote it, but we want some.
8/10
Personal Highlight: Penultimate track 'Nunslinger' starts with a great bass riff that leads into one of the hardest hitting guitar licks of the record. The second half shreds at a neck breaking speed and cements 'Space T-Rex' as one of the standout records of the year.
